---
title: "The graph shows momentum magnitude \\(p\\) as a function of de Broglie wavelength \\(\\lambda\\) for subatomic particles. Points \\(X\\) and \\(Y\\) represent two distinct states on the curve. An electron and a proton travel at the same nonrelativistic speed \\(v\\). Which point on the graph represents the electron, and what is the correct justification?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/117380/"
date_modified: "2026-08-04T06:52:02+00:00"
---

# The graph shows momentum magnitude \(p\) as a function of de Broglie wavelength \(\lambda\) for subatomic particles. Points \(X\) and \(Y\) represent two distinct states on the curve. An electron and a proton travel at the same nonrelativistic speed \(v\). Which point on the graph represents the electron, and what is the correct justification?

The graph shows momentum magnitude \(p\) as a function of de Broglie wavelength \(\lambda\) for subatomic particles. Points \(X\) and \(Y\) represent two distinct states on the curve. An electron and a proton travel at the same nonrelativistic speed \(v\). Which point on the graph represents the electron, and what is the correct justification?

![A 2D line graph showing momentum p on the vertical axis and de Broglie wavelength \lambda on the horizontal axis. The origin (0,0) is at the bottom left. The vertical axis is labeled with p and the horizontal axis is labeled with \lambda. A smooth, continuous curve displaying an inverse relationship (hyperbola) decreases from high p and low \lambda at the upper left toward low p and high \lambda at the lower right. Point X is marked on the upper-left section of the curve at a high p value and small \lambda value. Point Y is marked on the lower-right section of the curve at a low p value and large \lambda value. No other labels, lines, text, or axes appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1785826321-uMu1HT.jpg)

- **A.** Point \(X\), because the electron's smaller mass gives it a smaller momentum at speed \(v\), which corresponds to a shorter de Broglie wavelength.
- **B.** Point \(X\), because the electron's smaller mass gives it a larger momentum at speed \(v\), which corresponds to a shorter de Broglie wavelength.
- **C.** Point \(Y\), because the electron's smaller mass gives it a smaller momentum at speed \(v\), which corresponds to a longer de Broglie wavelength.
- **D.** Point \(Y\), because the electron's smaller mass gives it a larger momentum at speed \(v\), which corresponds to a longer de Broglie wavelength.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/117380/*